Welding electrode holder



July 3', 1945. M. 1 zx-:lLsTRA WELDING ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Oct. l2; 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 /x//r//r//f/l/r/x/f/x//f/w 7///////////////////////.

Inventor i /17/70/2/05 I. ZE/Lsrgi y B y and July 3, 1945. M. L. zElLsTRA WELDING ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Oct. l2, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventar y QM amzn July 3, 1945. M. 1 zElLsTRA WELDING ELECTRODE HOLDER Filed Oct. l2, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I rwentor Maz/@Ves L. ZE/sT/sw By am! Patented July 3, 1945 UNITED STA-TES PATENT oFFlcE 2,379,777 WELDING ELEG'rRoDE HOLDER y Maurice L. zeilstra, Richmond, Calif. Application october 12, 1943, serial No. 505,978

(c1. 21e-s) 2 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to new and useful improvements in arc weldingapparatus, and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a Iloipolar electrode holder of novel construction.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a bipolar Welding electrode holder which will be comparatively simple in construction, highly elhcient and reliable in use, and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the. foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from a study of the following specication, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a holder and electrode constructed in accordance with the present inventiaolilis,7 showing the electric system diagrammatic Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the holder, showing an electrode therein.

Figure 3 is a view in horizontal section through the holder.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view in horizontal section through a pair of the holder jaws. f

Figure 6 is a detail view in perspective of one of the face contacts of the stationary jaws.

Figure 7. is a bottom plan view of the pivoted jaws, showing a portion of the lever broken away in section.

Figure 8 is a view in longitudinal section through the electrode.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line IIJ--I Il of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a view in longitudinal section ythrough an end portion oi' a modified electrode.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line I2-I2 of' Figure 11.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the electrode comprises a metallic inner conductor or rod I of the usual metal. An insulating ux 2 covers the inner conductor I with the exception of an end portion 3 thereof. 'I'he ux 2 insulates the inner conductor or rod I from an outer conductor 4 of a suitable metallic or carbonaceous material.' One end portion of the iiux 2, which is adjacent the exposed portion 3 of the inner conductor I, projects beyond the corresponding end o! the outer conductor 4, as at 5.

It wlll thus be seen that a bipolar electrode has lheen provided, which electrode is designated genn erally 'by reference character il.

A. holder 'i is provided for the electrode P5. in the embodiment shown, the holder "l includes a tubular handle 8 of suitable insulating material. Fixed longitudinally in the tubular handle 2 and projecting from one end thereof is a resilient metallic bar Q which is insulated, as at Iii. The forward end portion oi the bar 9 is biiurcated, as at I I, in a manner to provide stationary jaws I2 and I3.

The jaw I2 has mounted thereon a contact face I4 having a transverse groove or channel I5 therein for the reception of the exposed end portion 3 of the inner conductor I. A contact face I6 is mounted on the jaw I3 and has formed transversely therein a comparatively large groove or channel I1 which is aligned with the groove I5 and which is for the reception of the outer conductor 4 of the electrode 6. Insulated positive and negative conductors I9 and 20, respectively, pass through the tubular handle 8 and are connected at one end to the contact faces I4 and I6. Screws I8 secure the contacts I4 and I6 in position and connect the conductors I9 and 20 thereto. Apertured ears 2I rise from the metallic bar 9 adjacent the forward end of the tubular handle 8.

Journaled on a pin 22 between the ears 2| is an angular bar 23 which is also of suitable resilient metal. Apertured ears 24 on the bar 23 accommo date the pin 22. Insulation .2l encloses the bar 'I'he forward end portion of the bar 23 is bifurcated, as at 26, to provide swinging jaws 21 and 28 which are cooperable, respectively, with the stationary jaws I2 and I3. The jaws 21 and 28 are provided with faces 29 of conducting material which are secured by screws 30.

Projecting rearwardly from the pivoted end of the plate 23 is an oifset thumb lever 3| which parallels .the tubular handle 8 in spaced relation thereto. Mounted beneath the forward portion of the lever 3l is a spring 32 which is engaged with the plate 9 for closing the jaws 21 and 28.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing, particularly to those skilled in the art of arc welding. Briefly, the bipolarelectrode 6 is mounted in the holder 1, the jaws 21 and I2 clamping the exposed end portion 3 of the inner conductor I, the jaws 28 and I3 clamping therebetween the outer conductor 4. Thus, the elements I and 4 are electrically connected, respectively, to the conductors I9 and ,20. The conductor 20 from the outer conductor l of the electrode is grounded to the work, as at 33, through a variable resistance 34. A conventional generator l5 supplies the welding current. Assuming that the circuit illustrated is maintained and an arc is struck on the work, the inner condoctor I will arc to said work. However, the outer conductor l, which is grounded to the work through the variable resistance 3|, is also of opposite polarity with reference to the inner conductor i with the result that an arc will form therebetween. This arc will continue when the electrode is removed from the work. By regulating the resistance 34 and slightly increasing the arc between the electrode and the work, substantially all of the welding current may be utilized for melting said electrodeu The modification illustrated in Figures 1l and 12 of the drawings comprises a pair of spaced, parallel conductors 36 in an insulating ilux 3l'. The conductors 3B include exposed end portions 38. The conductors 36 of this modified bipolar electrode may be connected in the circuit or system in any suitable manner.

It is believed that the many advantages of a `bipolar welding electrode and holder therefor constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although preferred embodiments are as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that further modiiications and changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:i

l. A holder for a bipolar welding electrode, comprising a first elongated member having a handle on one end and a pair of contact-carrying jaws at the other end with its contacts insulated from each other, a second elongated member pivoted intermediate its ends to the intermediate f portion of the ilrst-named elongated member, said second elongated member having a thumb piece on one end disposed beside said handle and a pair of contact-carrying jaws on the other end with its contacts insulated from each other, one contact o! the ilrst member cooperating with one contact of the second member for gripping one conductor of the electrode, the other contact of the first member coacting with the other contact of the second member for gripping the other conductor ci.' the electrode, and a spring acting on said second member to swing the latter in a clirection to cause said contacts to gripsaid conductors.

2. A holder for a bipolar welding electrode. comprising a first elongated member havtng a handle on one end and a. pair oi contact-carrying jaws at the other end with its contacts insulated from each other, a second elongated member pivoted intermediate its ends to the intermediate portion of the first-named elongated member, said second elongated member having a thumb `piece on one end disposed beside said handle and a pair of contact-carrying jaws on the other end with its contacts insulated from each other, one

`contact of the first member cooperating with one Contact of the second member for gripping one conductor of the electrode,the other contact off mating narrow grooves to fit the lrstmamed conductor, the second-named contacts oi said mem bers havingr wider mating grooves aligned withk the narrow grooves and adapted to t the second named conductor. l

MAURICE L. ZEILSTRA. 

